The one who’d come to deliver the invitation was, once again, the same haughty attendant from before.

Sun Shi, as before, slipped him a generously filled purse, and only then did the attendant’s expression brighten, his tone turning somewhat more courteous. “The craftsmen spent half a year building a new boat for Her Highness the Princess. Her Highness loves lively gatherings, and intends to invite some honored guests to her mansion for a boating excursion on the lake.”

“It will be the day after tomorrow. Please have Young Mistress Ling and the two Misses Ling arrive early at the mansion — don’t be late.”

Though the invitation was extended to all three of them, the attendant’s gaze rested on Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu could only answer with a smile. “Please tell Her Highness we’ll be sure to arrive early.”

Having delivered the invitation, the attendant soon took his leave.

Everyone, each lost in their own thoughts, fell silent for a moment.

“A’Shu, since Her Highness sent the invitation herself, it’s not really our place to decline.” Jiang Shi said in a low voice, brow slightly furrowed. “Still, there’s one worry weighing on my mind now. Princess Changping and Prince Yan are full siblings — what if he turns up at the Princess’s mansion too?”

Ling Jingshu shared the same concern, and let out a soft sigh. “I won’t hide it from you, Cousin-in-law — I’m worried about exactly that too.”

Ling Ji, having already heard from Jiang Shi about Prince Yan’s persistent pursuit of Ling Jingshu, snorted coldly at this, his face grim. “This is utterly outrageous! Granted, a gentleman may admire a graceful, virtuous lady, but there’s no need to be so aggressive about it.”

Matters of the heart were supposed to be a question of mutual willingness — what was this supposed to be?

The more Ling Ji thought about it, the angrier he grew, and he said indignantly, “A’Shu, from now on try not to leave the mansion if you can help it. I’ll go with A’Xiao to the Crown Prince’s residence instead. However tyrannical Prince Yan gets, he surely can’t come barging into the Ling family’s inner quarters!”

At these words, the reactions around the room varied.

Jiang Shi wanted to object, but couldn’t bring herself to speak up.

Sun Shi, however, had no such reservations, and said with a frown, “That won’t do! A’Xiao has to go to the Crown Prince’s residence once every five days. You’re supposed to be studying at the Imperial Academy — taking leave once in a while is fine, but you can’t be asking for leave every few days.”

Ling Jingshu quickly took up the thread as well. “Aunt is right. Cousin should put his studies first and not worry over me. Besides, I can’t very well give up eating for fear of choking — I shouldn’t be afraid to even step out of the Ling family gate just to avoid Prince Yan!”

That was true enough.

Sometimes, leaving the mansion simply couldn’t be helped. Take, for instance, Princess Changping’s invitation — Ling Jingshu could hardly find an excuse not to go.

Ling Ji frowned, but said nothing more, only cautioning her. “In any case, A’Shu, be extremely careful. People’s tongues can be vicious. You’re not yet betrothed, and your reputation matters above all else.”

He then turned to Jiang Shi. “Yuniang, you’re a few years older — when you’re out together from now on, look after A’Shu a little more. Don’t let Prince Yan find any chance to get her alone.”

Jiang Shi nodded and gave her solemn word.

Ling Ji’s concern and protectiveness brought a warm feeling welling up inside her.

Ling Jingshu smiled at Ling Ji. “Thank you, Cousin, for thinking of me in every way.”

“We’re family — no need for such formal talk.” Ling Ji waved it off. “I only regret not having the time to go out with you and A’Xiao myself. If I could, I’d never let Prince Yan anywhere near you.”

In truth, even with Ling Ji there, it wouldn’t be enough to stop Prince Yan.

Ling Jingshu understood this perfectly well. But given Ling Ji’s good intentions, she certainly wasn’t about to say so plainly, lest it wound his pride.

Two days later.

Just before they set out, Sun Shi made a point of rambling on with a long string of instructions, which boiled down to two simple points: Prince Yan was not someone to provoke, so steer well clear of him if they crossed paths; and Princess Changping, likewise no one to offend, should be flattered and humored as much as possible.

“Mother’s fine in every way, except she’s much too long-winded. A few simple sentences, and she goes on repeating them forever — it’s such a waste of time.”

Sitting in the carriage, Ling Jingyan grumbled with some dissatisfaction.

It was fine for Ling Jingyan to complain a little, but as daughter-in-law and niece respectively, Jiang Shi and Ling Jingshu couldn’t very well say the same. The two exchanged a glance, a look of shared understanding passing between them, and both pressed their lips together in a smile.

Sun Shi had indeed gone on a bit much. It was, perhaps, a common failing among women of advancing years.

Once they arrived at Princess Changping’s mansion, the three of them got down from the carriage and went first to wait at the gatehouse.

Before the gatehouse servant could even return with word of their arrival, they found themselves greeting Su Ying, who had likewise come as a guest.

They all exchanged a few pleasant greetings.

Su Ying, elegant and refined in a pale blue dress, smiled with bright, lively eyes. “I thought I’d be the first to arrive, but it turns out you all got here even earlier than me.”

Ling Jingshu replied with a smile. “When Her Highness sent the invitation, she specifically told us to come early. We didn’t dare be careless about it, so we made sure to arrive a bit ahead of time.”

Su Ying gave Ling Jingshu a brief once-over and smiled. “I’ve seen you three times now, and every time you’ve dressed so simply — I’ve never once seen you done up in your finest.”

At fourteen or fifteen, a girl was at just the age she loved beauty most. Especially when attending gatherings together, some quiet rivalry was bound to creep in, and Su Ying was no exception — every time she went out as a guest, she spent a long while carefully dressing herself up.

Ling Jingshu, by contrast, always appeared with a bare face and paid little attention to her dress. It was no wonder Su Ying felt a quiet sense of surprise.

Ling Jingshu smiled faintly and brushed it off lightly. “I’ve only just come to the capital, and I’m not yet familiar with the current fashions in dress, hairstyles, or jewelry. So I figured it would be simpler to just dress plainly, rather than risk making a fool of myself.”

Su Ying gave a gentle smile. “A natural beauty like you would look lovely no matter what you wore — how could you possibly embarrass yourself?”

“If anyone else said that, I’d shamelessly take the compliment.” Ling Jingshu answered with a smile. “But coming from Miss Su, I really do feel embarrassed. When it comes to natural beauty, who could possibly compare to Miss Su?”

Everyone, after all, loves a kind word.

Su Ying pressed her lips together, laughing. “All right, let’s stop flattering each other. Also, I’m a year older than you, so just call me Sister Su. ‘Miss Su’ sounds far too distant.”

Ling Jingshu didn’t make a fuss over it either, and promptly switched to calling her Sister Su.

The steward at the gate attentively led the group into the mansion, straight to the lakeside.

With high summer nearly past, the whole pond was abloom with lotus flowers, blooming with an especially bewitching beauty. A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying the cool, fresh fragrance of the lotuses.

A brand-new pleasure boat was moored at the water’s edge, both spacious and luxurious, fitted with tables and chairs, the tables already laid with an assortment of fresh fruits and pastries.

After Ling Jingshu and the others boarded the pleasure boat, they waited only a short while before the well-bred young ladies who had received invitations began arriving one after another. Most were familiar faces, having met at the lotus-viewing banquet or at Su Ying’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Princess Changping, as always, was dressed in dazzling splendor, arriving with graceful steps, supported on either side by two handsome attendants.

Princess Fumin, however, hadn’t come today. With that particular eyesore absent, Ling Jingshu felt considerably more at ease.

Once Princess Changping had taken her seat, she gave a charming laugh and said, “There’s one more honored guest who hasn’t arrived yet today — please everyone wait just a little longer.”